Trying to figure out what this is that I removed from under my toenail a few days ago. I was cleaning my toenails - nothing unusual - had a metal file and was scraping the dead skin cells and gunk out from under the big toenail. There was a bump in the center, and it wasn't budging. Eventually I got out the tweezers, 'cause they had a sharper tip. HERE'S THE GRAPHIC PART. I was quite surprised to find that what I had in my tweezers appears to be a smaller version of my nail! Like there was a miniature nail growing underneath of the regular nail, and I had just pulled it out like pulling out a loose tooth. From the length of it, it went 2/3 the length of my toenail, but tapered toward the end in width and thickness. So... apparently I have a gap now on the nail bed, where I had pulled this from. There was no bleeding or weeping of any sort afterward.

I have to say - I felt no pain, but that could be misleading -- I have peripheral neuropathy, so my toes are basically numb anyway. Which is why I clean them as I do - I was afraid that I had a splinter stuck up there that I didn't feel go in.

So all I'm really trying to figure out is - what is it, and why was it there? I have not had any traumatic injury to my toe that I can recall, but it does have a bump in it that is growing out that is about the same length as this piece I pulled out.

I actually have an answer now, but thanks for replying. I have toenail fungus. Still haven't identified exactly what I removed, but am now missing most of my toenail because as much of the diseased nail was possible was clipped & filed in order to get the topical medication onto the nail bed.